breeding cattle for lower greenhouse gas emissions in an australian carbon trading environment - rob...
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BREEDING CATTLE FOR LOWER GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS
IN AN AUSTRALIAN CARBON TRADING ENVIRONMENT
Robert HerdIndustry & Investment NSWBeef Centre, Armidale, NSW
Our cattle and sheep: convert grass into nutritious and delicious food
products
METHANE
95% of cattle emissions
Reduction in methane emissions accompanies reduction in feed intake.
Example: selection for feed efficiency brings a greenhouse gas benefit
National Herd with conservative adoption of selection for feed efficiency
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10
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Year
Re
du
cti
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Me
tha
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('0
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t)
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1.0
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3.5
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cti
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tha
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(%
)
•Cumulative total over 25 years 568,000 t CH4 total
reduction in enteric methane •Year 2026, >3% annual saving in methane.
Methane yield (MY)
Found High and Low MY bulls
Averages for Progeny of Bulls used in the Low and High Methane Yield Selection Lines
(g methane/kg feed)
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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Sire
Early results:Averages for Methane Yield of Progeny (g methane/kg feed)
Might selective breeding change?
Meat traits Cow traits
Science based Quantifiable Auditable.
GHG reduction protocols:
Add a BV for Low MY
SUMMARYFound High and Low MY
bulls
BREEDING FOR LOWER GHG EMISSIONS FEASIBLE
BREEDING CATTLE FOR LOWER GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS
Dr. John Goopy
Also natural variation in sheep - heritable.
is:
–Wide reaching
–Permanent
–Cumulative
–Known technology.
Genetic improvement
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